The unknownSouth-Landextends with several Points to the Southern Ocean, which have been more seen than discover’d by divers Nations.
Opposite to theEast-IndiaIslandGilolo, liesTerra des Papous, to whichJacob Le Mairegave the Denomination ofNew Guinee.
TheEnglishCommander,Richard Hawkins, Sailing to the Southward behindPapou, found the Inhabitants black likeNegro’s: round about appear several Isles and convenient Harbors.Herreraplaces here on the East, the CountreyAgnanda, the RoadSt. Jago, the IslandLos Crespos, the HavenAndreas, the RiverVirginum, and the little IsleLa Vellena, before the Mouth of the StreamAugustine. Next you meet Easterly with the RiversSt. PeterandSt. Paul, the HavensHieronymus, the IslesPunta Salida,Abrigo,Malagente, andMaure de Dios, inhabited by white People.
Discoveries inTerra Australis incognita.
The first that discover’dNew Guinee, Anno 1529. wasAlvares de Savedra, who, as also several others besides him, suppos’d that some of the IslandsSolomonsborderNew Guinee.
Eighteen of the manySolomonIsles exceed the rest, of which some are three hundred Leagues in circumference, some two hundred, others one hundred, and some fifty: All that are inhabited have a fruitful Soil, producing all manner of Provisions, particularly Hogs and Poultrey. The Natives differ very much one from another, for some are black, others white or tawny.
The fore-mention’dHawkinsin his Voyage towards theStraightsofMagellan, supposing it by estimation to be fifty Leagues from the Main Coast ofAmerica, discover’d forty Degrees to the Southward of theEquinoctial Line, with a Westerly Wind, the unknownSouth-Land; which he found to consist of low Land, and to be inhabited, by reason of the many Fires which he saw ashore in the Night.
TheSpanishCommander,Peter Fernandes de Quiro, and the AdmiralLodowick Paes de Torres, have made a farther Discovery of this Countrey; for Landing on theSouth-Land, they met with several People, some whereof were brown, others white, and others sallow; some had long and lank, others short and curl’d Hair: They acknowledg’d no King or supream Governor, nor were Govern’d by any Laws, neither had they any Wall’d Towns or Forts; but being divided amongst themselves, they continually Encountred one another with Darts, Clubs, and Staves. Their Houses built of Wood, were cover’d with the Leaves of Palm-Trees. Their Housholdstuff consisted in Earthen Dishes, Pots, Ropes, Fish-nets, Flutes, Drums, and varnish’d Spoons. Their Gardens were neatly kept. Near their Temples were Burying-places. They Row’d very swift in little Boats. Their Bread, well tasted, was made of long thick Roots, either roasted or boyl’d.
Fertility, Plenty, and Riches of the Countrey.
Here also grow sorts ofPlatano’s, great abundance of Almonds, Oranges, Citrons, thick Sugar-Canes, Palm-Trees, which yield Wine,Cocoa’s, andObos, in taste not much unlike Quinces; but the greatest benefit which they receive, is from theCocoaNuts, the Pulp whereof is delicious Meat and Drink; the outermost Shells whereof serve for Cups or Dishes, the inner for Ropes and Cordage; of the Leaves they make Sails and Mats, and cover their Houses with the same; of the Body, Oars, Clubs, Pikes, and Props for their Houses.
Besides several sorts of Pot-herbs, here grow very high Coleworts andBledo’s.
The Countrey also abounds with Pigeons, Partridges, Ducks, Goats, Hogs, and other ordinary Cattel and Fowls.
The Rivers afford them Souls, Salmon, Thornback, Sea-Cocks, Eels, Gurnets, and several other unknown Fishes, very delicate and wholsom.
This Countrey also produces Nutmegs, Mastick, Peppers, Ginger, Cinamon, Gold, Silver, Pearls, Silk, Sugar, Anniseed, Honey, Wax, Ebony-wood, Turpentine, Lime-pits, and Marble.
Philips-Baybends twenty Leagues into the Countrey, hath a safe Harbor, and excellent Ground, consisting of black Sand. Two great Rivers discharge their Waters into the said Bay, round about which are pleasant Woods, full of Quails, Parrakito’s, Parrots, Nightingales, and Bulfinches, which Sing very sweetly. The Blossoms, especially of Orange-Trees, and the HerbAlvaca, yield an odoriferous smell. The wholsom Air adds vigor to aged People.
Abel Tasman’s Expedition toTerra Australis Incognita.
The Southlander’s desperate Attempt upon Tasman’s Ships.
Fernandes de Quirdelivering the fore-mention’d Account toPhilipthe Second, King ofSpain, mov’d him to Plant the unknownSouth-Land, and the rather, because he had not found any snowy Mountains, drown’d Land, Crocodiles,Muschito’s, or any hurtful Creature, yet was not regarded; so that noSpaniardhath since that time set Foot on the unknownSouth-Land. But theEast-IndiaCompany undertaking the Design with great eagerness, sent thither two Ships,viz.theHemskerkandSea-Cock, under the Command ofAbel Tasman, to make a farther Discovery of the saidSouth-Land:Anno 1642.on the twelfth ofAugust, they weigh’d Anchor fromBatavia, Sail’d through theStraightsofSundatoMaurice-Island, where they Anchor’d in the North-West Haven before the CastleFrederick-Henrick, on the fifth ofSeptemberin the fore-mention’d Year. On the eighth ofOctob.Tasmanstood over to theSouth-Land, near which he was surpris’d by a violent Storm; afterwards, on the twenty fifth ofNovember, he discover’d a barren Shore, against which the Sea beat very furiously; and Steering along this Coast, he found a convenient Inlet, but was forc’d by the hard Weather to stand off to Sea again; yet not long after approaching the Shore, he saw great hollow Trees, and round about them abundance of Mussle-shells, and from the Wood heard a shrill noise of People Singing: Going to the same place again, he put the Orange Flag on a Pole, Carv’d with theEast-IndiaCompanies Arms, and call’d the InletFrederick-Henrick,the whole Coast,Anthony van Diemen. Sailing from thence Eastward, he on the eighteenth ofDecemberdiscovered a convenient Haven, where sending his Sloop to discover the Shore, he came back in the Evening, being follow’d by a Boat, which approach’d nearer and nearer, but Night coming upon him, he could not well discern what they were that pursu’d him, but heard the cry of hoarse Voices, and a shrill noise like that of a Trumpet, which theNetherlandSeamen answer’d by hollowing, and blowing on their Trumpets, and at last firing a Gun, theSouthlandersmade a hideous noise, and blowing their Horns, return’d ashore.Tasmanhereupon call’d his Watch, laid Hangers, Pikes, and Musquets ready Charg’d, upon the Decks. The next day theSouthlanderscame in several Boats, two and two ty’d together, and cover’d with Planks, towards the Ships; the Gunner of theHemskerkgoing with six Men in a Boat to help mount some Guns in theSea-Cock, were betwixt both Ships set upon by theSouthlanders, who approacht with a hideous noise, kill’d four of theHollanderswith long Poles, and forc’d the other three to save themselves by swimming; which they had no sooner done, but they Row’d with incredible swiftness towards the Shore, insomuch that they were out of the reach of their Guns before they could make ready to fire at them.Tasmanfinding that there was no good to be done here, since he hazarded the Lives of his Seamen against a company of wild People, he set Sail, but was follow’d by divers Boats, at which he fir’d his After-Guns with pieces of Iron and Stones, which killing some of them, made the rest return. In the midst of the Boats, which were ty’d two and two together, sat the Commander, who encourag’d the Rowers; they all us’d Clubs without Points.
These People were gross of Body, undaunted, strong, and of a tawny colour; the Hair of their Heads stroak’d up round, was ty’d up on their Crown, on which stuck a stiff white Feather; about their Necks hung a square Plate; they wore in stead of Cloaks, square pieces of Cloth, made fast before on their Breasts.
Tasman, by reason of his rough Entertainment call’d this Harbor,Murderers-Bay, and afterwards Sail’d along the Shore till the fifth ofJanuary 1643.on which Day he dropt Anchor near a little Rocky Island, from which fell two Streams, with a great noise into the Sea. The Inhabitants, a strong People, beckned to the Seamen to come on Shore; some lean’d on thick Clubs, others Fenc’d one with another.Tasmansending his Sloop ashore for Water with two Drakes, return’d without any, not being able to Land, by reason of the hollow Sea near the Shore; wherefore Sailing from thence he discover’d two low Isles, which were full of Woods of very tall Trees; from the biggest whereof came a little Boat, sharp before and behind, in which three sallow Men, sitting behind one another, Row’d with great swiftness towards theHemskerk; whereuponTasmancommanded all his Men to go under the Hatches, that the threeSouthlandersmight not be afraid to come aboard; he also threw a piece of Linnen out of his Cabbin Window, which one of them, leaping into the Sea, took up, and as a sign of thankfulness, laid the same on his Head, and being hereby emboldned, they came nearer the Rudder, where they took up a Knife, ty’d to a piece of Wood, out of the Water, and return’d the Seamen a Fishhook of Mother-of-Pearl, ty’d to a Cotton Line. Approaching the Shore, they saw abundance of People running along, with two little Flags on Sticks. Some of the Natives came in their Boats close up withTasman’s Ship; and one more bold than the rest entring the same, was found to be a tall Man with a broad black Beard, and green Leaves about his Neck, who sat down on the Deck with his Legs under him, and bow’d down his Head oftentimes very low:Tasmanreturning his Civility, took him by the Hand to Treat him in his Cabbin, but aDog which was in the Ship Barking, he grew fearful, and went into his Boat again. Several otherSouthlandersswam aboard, and others broughtPisangandClappesin their Boats. Against the Evening a great Vessel, surrounded with lesser Boats, came Rowing towards theHemskerk, the Men making a great noise; the Seamen fearing some Design, ran all to their Arms, but were convinc’d of their Friendship by the Gifts they Presented them with from the Governor of the Island. The next day a strange Boat came near theSea-Cock,viz.two Sloops, which being ty’d together, and cover’d with Boards, carry’d several Men, Commanded by a Captain, by them call’dOrangkay: On the midst of the Boards which cover’d the two Boats, stood a Hut made of Rushes, and cover’d over withPisangLeaves; the Sails being made of Mats, caus’d it to Sail very swiftly. Round about this Sloop Row’d lesser Boats, out of which loud Acclamations were heard, every one crying out,Hael, Hael: during which noise, thoseSouthlanderswhich were already come aboard, sat still on the Decks, which madeTasmanthink that their King himself was coming to give him a Visit, which accordingly fell out, for he came and Presented him with several Hogs, Poultrey,ClappesandPisang, all cover’d with white Cloths.
Interview betweenTasmanand theSouthlanderKing.
ThisSouthlandishKing was Habited in a Suit, the Stuff whereof resembledChinesePaper, doubled and pasted together, and was attended by a great Train of Men, Women, and Children, all of them as black as a Coal; some of them swam after, and others follow’d him in Boats.
TheseSouthlandersbarter’d their Clothes and Necklaces, which consisted of Mother-of-Pearl and white Cockles, and Fishhooks made also of Mother-of-Pearl, against Nails, Knives, and the like Trifles.
Tasmancaus’d a Shirt, Breeches, Doublet, and Hat, to be put on an oldOrangkay; who being thus Cloth’d, stood a considerable time admiring of himself, and was also much wonder’d at by his Subjects; but going into the Countrey, he came back without his Clothes.
AnotherOrangkaybeing Presented with a Rummer of Wine, pour’d out the Wine, and setting the Rummer on his Head, went away with great joy.
Some of the Governors view’d the Ships, not onely above, but also below the Decks, and being brought to the Guns, they desir’d to know the use of them; whereupon one being Discharg’d, it so affrighted them, that had they not been held, they had all leap’d overboard.
Provisions were daily brought by theSouthlandersto theHollandersin great Vessels, surrounded by many lesser; still as they put their Oars into the Water, they made a hideous noise.
Tasmanbringing some empty Vessels upon the Deck, thereby to make them understand that he wanted fresh Water, theOrangkayspointed to the Shore; whither they went with two Boats, which return’d without Water, the Inhabitants themselves being forc’d to dig Pits to get the same.
Mean while otherSouthlanderscoming aboard, the Pilot and Boatswain’s Boy blow’d on their Trumpets, another play’d on a Flute, and a fourth on a Violin, whilst some of the Seamen Dancing, so amaz’d the Natives, that they stood like senseless Creature, gaping with open Mouth upon them.
Tasmanlooking into a Grammar which contain’d the Language of theSolomonsIsles, found that many words which were us’d by these People, had a great similitude with those of that Language.
Besides these Men, there came likewise a great many Women aboard, all of them extraordinary tall, especially two, who might justly be stil’d Giantesses;one whereof had Mustacho’s; both ran, and embracing the ChirurgeonHenrick Haelbos, desir’d carnal Copulation with him, and seem’d to quarrel one with another about him: Others confidently put their Hands into theHollandersBreeches, their Husbands giving consent thereunto: All of them had thick, curl’d, black Hair, which they colour’d red, and comb’d with ten little round Sticks ty’d together on the top, and left wide like Teeth at the bottom; yet some of them let their Hair hang down in long braided Locks; they shave their upper Lips, but keep a square Beard on their Chin; yet amongst the old People there were some whose Cheeks were overgrown with Hair: Their manner of shaving is with the Teeth of certain Fish made fast to a Stick; they all went bare-headed, except some few, who ty’d a square piece of Stuff, wrought of Leaves or Feathers, above their Eyes against the Sun; the upper parts of their Bodies were all naked, but about their Middle some wore a Girdle, others a Mat ofClappesLeaves, others a Cloth not unlikeChinesePaper, about the lower parts of their Bodies. The Womens Apparel differ’d little from the Mens, excepting that their Aprons reach’d farther down,viz.to their Knees. They barter’d their Clothes against Nails. Some of theOrangkays, being Entertain’d in the Cabbin, wonder’d to see a Bullet that was Discharg’d from the Quarter deck, fall into the Water at so great a distance. They wore about their Necks Mother-of-Pearl, white Cockles, sweet-smelling Flowers, green Leaves, or the Nails which they had gotten of theHollanders: Some of the aged Women wanted both their little Fingers, and the young ones the upper Joints of them, which the old Men also wanted:Haelbospointing at the Stump, ask’d the reason of it, but one of them laying his Hand under his Chin, made strange Signs, out of which he could apprehend nothing.
On the twenty third ofJanuary, a second timeTasmanwent ashore for Water, carrying Spades and Pick-axes with him, to dig Pits with. Two of theHollandersBoats going close together, in each of which were threeSouthlanders,Tasmancall’d to his Rowers to pull stoutly; which theSouthlandersinTasman’s Boat observing to tend to their Rowing the swifter, laugh’d and hooted at their Countrey-men that were in theSea-CocksBoat, when they chanc’d to get beyond them.Tasmanin his going ashore discover’d several Isles at a distance, was kindly Entertain’d, and towards the Evening carry’d by four Men through the Water, on a Mat made fast betwixt two Poles, to his Sloop, whither they also brought nine Hogs, and fresh Water digg’d out of Pits.
Tasmanbeing got about the Point of the Island, saw theHemskerkunder Sail; wherefore Rowing aboard theSea-Cock, he was inform’d that she had slipt her Anchor; whereupon following her, he got sight of another green Island the next day, along the Shore whereof ran several People with Sticks, on which hung white Cloths: some of them came aboard, and brought with them what Provisions the Island afforded. The Inhabitants barter’dClappes,Pisang, Fowls, Hogs, Mother-of-Pearl Fish-hooks, Stone Axes, little Stools, great Clubs, with a black Point as long as a Man’s Arm, and hooked, against Trifles. TheHollanderswere also stor’d here with fresh Water. The People both in Language, Habit, and Customs, were very like those of the first Island, but were not altogether so courteous. One of theSouthlandersstealing a Half-pike out of the Boat was forc’d by his Companions to restore the same.
The fore-mention’dHaelbosrelates, That going ashore with some Soldiers, he saw their Houses, which he found to be built after a strange manner,viz.some of them were round like Towers, Wider at top than at bottom, and without any Holes for Air, but all built close of Canes, which were stuck in the Ground; otherHuts were cover’d with a long Roof ofPisangorClappesLeaves, resting on Posts; under which kind of BuildingHaelbosshelter’d himself against a mighty Shower of Rain, found divers young Men and Women sitting on Mats, and an old Woman, blind through Age, lying by them on the Ground, and Fanning her self withPisangLeaves: The Men going away, signifi’d thereby a kind of Invitation to theHollandersto go to the Women, who not receiving the Entertainment they expected, rose altogether on a sudden, and Singing, Danc’d about theHollanders. The Men had on their Shoulders and Breasts, Scars of half an Inch deep, and an Inch long; upon some of which, being fresh and bleeding, the Flyes sat. They eat after a strange manner, for stripping off the outmost Rinds of theClappeswith their Teeth, and breaking the hard Shell against their Elbows, they pull out the Kernel, and eat the same. Whatever Flesh-meat they eat, they never throughly boyl or roast it, but make it onely just warm. They sleep on the Ground upon Mats, and lay their Heads on a little woodden Cricket with four Feet. They take great pride in their Hair, and those that have not long Hair of their own, use Perukes.
Tasmansteering his Course towards the high Coast that lay before this Island, was follow’d by several small Vessels from the adjacent Shore, of which some carry’d a Bough ofClappesorPisang, with white Veins at the ends; but seeing the Ships Sail from them, they threw the same overboard.Tasmanstanding Westerly, discover’d three Isles, near the last whereof the Sea broke exceedingly, which theHollandersnot without great danger had approached in the Night: after which they discover’d to Leeward of them, a high Coast, which extended it self a great way, but the Sea went so rough, that they durst not venture near the Land; besides, the Sea went very high on a Bank, first ten, then five, three and a half, and again ten, fourteen, and seven Fathom deep; and oftentimes a Man might see the Ground, insomuch that they kept out the Boats belonging to theHemskerk, which was in most danger, to carry them aboard of theSea-Cock, if the first should chance to split. Lastly, getting over the Bank, they saw very high Land to Windward, and many hilly Isles to Leeward; the Sea also was full of blind Rocks and Shelves, so that they were in danger every hour, and the rather, because the Wind blew hard every day; yet at last losing sight of Land, they steer’d their Course Westerly in five Degrees Southward of theLine, towardsNew Guinee. On the two and twentieth ofMarchthey discover’d low Land full of Woods of tall Trees, surrounded with a company of Isles, against some of which the Sea brake with great violence, insomuch that they were again in great danger, especially when they were got amongst eighteen Isles, between which the Water being shallow, and the Current running very strongly, drove the Ships towards the Shore: Whilest they were Tacking to and again to get beyond the Shelves, a little Vessel, carrying a great Weathercock on her Star-board, came from the Shore, Row’d by seven Men, who sat on Boards which lay over the same; they were of a brown Complexion, onely girt about with a hairy Girdle, made fast on the top of their Heads; under their Feet they also wore something in stead of Shoes, about their Necks hung Flowers, and their Bodies were Painted black: Among the seven, one who was very fat, and whose Head was adorn’d with two Feathers, stood up and proffer’d the Seamen twoClappes, in return whereofTasmangave them a Box of Nails and a piece of Sail-cloth, which sinking under Water, an aged Man div’d for the same, and bringing it up, gave it to his six Companions, who made no shew of thankfulness. Their Arms consisted in Bowes and Arrows. TheirClappesthey call’dAnieuw, as the other Islanders had done.
Sailing from hence, they discover’d two low Islands full of Trees; and three Leagues from them, on their Star-board, a high Coast, and on the other side a great Island, whither they drove with a small Gale; approaching the same, two very small Boats came towards theHemskerk; the biggest of the two carry’d six Men, and the least three, all of them very deform’d; they went stark naked, onely their Yards were ty’d up with a String on their Bellies, and about their Arms hung Chains of Mother-of-Pearl; they were Coal-black, onely red about the Mouth, which redness was occasion’d by the chewing ofPisang; in their Hair stuck woodden Combs, and on their Foreheads green Leaves; but in each Boat was one who had a bruised Reed made fast in his Neck like a Plume; the biggest Vessel was Painted with strange Shapes of Men and Beasts; they us’d red Bowes and Arrows, and having call’d to the Seamen, they Row’d back again to the Shore; whichTasmanleft a Stern of him, and ran between the Main Coast (by all suppos’d to beNew Guinee) and several great Islands, that lay scatter’d along before the Main Coast; from whence came four small Boats, adorn’d with Imagery like Serpents, but kept without Gun-shot from the Ships; at last one leaping overboard, swam to the smallest Boat, out of which one swam back in his stead to the other, and afterwards came to theHemskerksside; he was a black Man, wore Leaves before his Privities, and Armlets about his Elbows; through the Gristle of his Nose stuck a white Bone Bodkin, sharp at the ends, and of a Fingers length, and about his Neck a String full of Cockle-shells.
TasmanSailing on along the Main Coast, met with eighteen Boats more, the Rowers whereof laid their Oars upon their Heads, and not without strange Gestures call’d aloud, and invited theHollandersto come ashore: On the Sterns and Heads of these Boats were likewise divers Shapes Painted, upon a white Ground; in some were two, and in others three, four, and five Men; eight of them going into theHollandersBoats, were made Drunk withArrack. TheseSouthlanderswent stark naked, some onely covering their secret Parts with Leaves; their Skins were black, onely on their Foreheads they drew a red Stroke, which reach’d to their Ears; their brown curl’d Hair was by some colour’d grey, by some red, some let it hang loose over their Sholdiers, others ty’d the same in a Tuft on their Crown, cover’d with a Cap ofPisangLeaves, others wore their Hair scarce two Fingers long, and through the Gristle of their Nose, a piece of Cane or Quill, and a broad Beard without Mustacho’s; they had nothing to barter but large Snail-shells, on which they made a strange noise; and whatsoe’re they receiv’d, they first smell’d on it like Dogs: they fancy’d not Nails, as all the otherSouthlandershad done. Their manner of Fishing was thus: They ty’d several halfClappes-shells, made fast like a Chain, to a long Reed, shook the same to and again on the Water, to gather the Fish together. In the Boats lay Planks of an oval fashion, which by Ropes ty’d in the middle they held before them in stead of Shields. When theseSouthlanderswent from the Ships, one of them threatned to beat the Seamen, shaking his great Club at them; whereupon they all Row’d with great speed to the Shore, whilest one in every Boat knockt with a Staff against the sides, just as if they had beat an Alarm. Amongst them one had barter’d for an old Doublet, with which he shew’d many antick Tricks, putting it on the wrong way, sometimes on his Head, then his Feet into the two Arm-holes, and anon the Button-holes behind on his Back.
The Ships Sailing from hence, ran along a broken Coast, and on the twelfth ofAprilwere so terribly shaken by an Earthquake, which lasted an hour and a half, that they seem’d shivering to pieces in the Water, as if they had ran against aRock, notwithstanding they could not fathom Ground with their longest Line. Somewhat farther they discover’d a burning Mountain on an Island, between which and the Main (on which stood also a very high Mountain) they steering their Course, came into a white Water, mov’d by a strong River from the Continent; and coming to an Anchor before the IslandJamna, they saw the IslesMoaandArimoabefore them. TheJamneanscallingNew Guineeby the Name ofBelah, inform’d theHollanders, that they Warr’d continually with the Inhabitants thereof. These People being also Coal-black, some of them had loose curl’d Hair, hanging down over their Shoulders in long Braids, and others had onely two thick Locks, which cover’d their Ears; all of them wore four Feathers on their Heads: the Men pull’d out their Beards, and hung a great Bone Ring through their Ears, at which also hung a Shell like a Spur; most of them had red Roses ty’d about their Heads, and a Necklace of Hogs Teeth about their Necks; under their Navels they wore Girdles, a handful and a half broad, and about their Wastes Strings full of Shells, or Sea-Cockles, to which a small Lappet was ty’d, and hung down before their Privities; but because it was but two Fingers broad, and mov’d to an again by the Wind, their Nakedness appear’d to those that took notice thereof; through the Gristle of their Noses they wore a Hogs Tooth, or the Splinter of a Cane. Upon the Stern of their small Boats was the Shape of a little Lyon. One of these Islanders imitated theHollanderswhen they spoke, endeavoring to repeat their words after them, and therefore was call’dParrot.
TasmanSailing from hence toMoa, came to an Anchor before the Coast, ten Leagues beyondJamna, where a great Boat, carrying seventeen Men, coming near the Ship, let flie a great many Arrows at the Seamen; but the next Morning being better reconcil’d, they came aboard, where the Chirurgeon of the Ship gave a Cap to one of theJamneans, who, as a testimony of his thankfulness for the Present, requested him to sit down; which done, he began to braid his Hair from his Forehead to his Neck, tying the same with a String.
Tasmanweighing Anchor, Sail’d betweenNew Guineeand the IslandInsou, having got nothing but a fewJamneanwords from the Islanders, who call’d a Bone,Vertilia; a Hog,Paro; a Knife,Sapera; Beads,Sassera; a Nail,Tortor; Sleep,Moeni; and a Rat,Asphoo. So steering his Course alongArimoa, which is both higher and larger than the neighboringAmoa, and resembles a Seaman’s Cap, he leftNew Guineea Stern of him, and Steering on Northerly, Sail’d bySchoutes-Island, where eight large Boats came within Gun-shot of him, each of which had on each side a Wing, under which sat four Rowers, two and two together, with their Feet hanging in the Water; at their approaching near the Ship they put out a long Pole, with a white Flag upon it; whereuponTasmanalso commanded his white Ensign to be put forth, and threw a String of Beads, ty’d to a piece of Wood, out of his Cabbin Window; which theSouthlandershad no sooner taken up, but in testimony of thankfulness they all broke their Arrows over their Heads, and kept near the sides of the Ship, till such time as the Boatswain thereof sounded a Trumpet, upon the hearing of which they all Row’d away with as much speed as they could possibly. These People were of a sallow Complexion; they broke their Arrows with great Ceremony; for first they pointed with them towards the Skie, then put them into the Water, and breaking each Arrow in two pieces on their Heads, they threw one over the Larboard, and the other over the Starboard; he that broke the Arrow, made a long Speech to theHollanders, who took the same for an Oath of their Fidelity toward them. In every one of these Boats were twenty eight or thirty Men.
Tasman’s farther Voyage intoNew Guinee.
Tasmanprosecuting his Voyage farther, discover’d the following day another Island, and a crooked Arm ofNew Guinee, near which he judg’d might be an Opening betwixtNew GuineeandGilolo; then leaving on his Starboard a great many blind Cliffs, dangerous Shelves, and uneven Grounds, he cast Anchor near a Rock, which at high Water was overflow’d. A Boat coming near the Ship, in which were six Men, whose long Hair hung down their Backs, one of them amongst the rest standing up, call’d to theHollandersin theTernarenLanguage, saying,What People?to which a Seaman, who understood and spake the said Language, answer’d,Spaniards: whereupon he ask’d,From what Countrey, and whither bound?to which he was answer’d,From Moa to Ternata: TheSouthlanderhereupon reply’d,You are Deceivers, the Ship is not Spanish, but Holland make; whereuponTasmancaus’d the Prince ofOrange’s Flag to be put out, which theSouthlanderno sooner saw, but he cry’d,It appears by your Flags that you are Hollanders, who are always more welcom to us than Spaniards: However, though the Seaman acknowledg’d his mistake, in saying they wereSpaniards; yet theSouthlanderswould not stay within shot of them, but at their Rowing away cry’d aloud,Here is abundance of Pisang, Clappes, Potato’s, Sugar-Canes, and other Fruits on Shore.
From henceTasmanSail’d Northerly between many Isles, and a Channel that separatesNew GuineefromGilolo, byCerani,Manipe,Bolao, andBurro, to a narrow Opening, wherePangesanebeing on his Larboard, rose with exceeding high Rocks, asBottonon the Starboard. These Rocks are most of them overgrown with Trees and Brambles. In the middle of this Channel also lies a Rock, for its shape call’dA Galley, by whichTasmanSailing, bent his Course homeward, and at last, on the fifteenth ofJune, Anno 1643. cast Anchor beforeBatavia.